Dita Von Teese & Christopher Guy, the Style Party of Britweek

By Laura Medina

If the opening party, "A Salute to Hollywood" at the British Consulate in Hancock Park was launched by a galaxy of British actors and singers then Christopher Guy's party represents what is best in British design, fashion, and style.

His party annually always honor what is best in British fashion and design.  Last year, he honored Philip Treacy then a parade of his fascinators march through the party.

This year, he honored Ian Callum, Design Director of Jaguar.

Legendary British designer, Zandra Rhodes, and other British fashionistas such as Martyn Lawrence Bullard, along side, rock musician Steve Cook, Bai Ling, Bruno Tonioli, Lady Victoria Hervey, and Dita Von Teese watched Christopher Guy present Ian Callum, the
BritWeek Design Icon Award.

Dita offered a presentation of her new dress collection to toast the party.

A cavalcade of boudoir couture, ranging from classic Forties Sirens gowns to naughty cocktail dresses draped in sheer overlays of tulle to elegant but provocative transparent trench coat.  It was a naughty but never nasty fashion parade that equally matched the sensual yet sophisticated Christopher Guy furniture.

Britweek's "A Salute to Hollywood" in the Heart of Hollywood

By Laura Medina

Brits who done good, "showed their love" a.k.a. thank this country back by igniting a series of bashes celebrating their good fortunes in the heart of Hollywood, Hancock Park, at the British Consulate this recent Tuesday night.

Notable United Kingdom celebrities, the likes of the "James Bond Fraternity, " Timothy Dalton (James Bond) and George Lazenby (James Bond; On Her Majesty's Secret Service) and Terri Seymour (TV presenter/actress), Lisa Vanderpump (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills), and Lady Victoria Hervey (socialite), "Dancing with the Stars" Bruno Tonioli, "The OC" Mischa Barton with her new boyfriend, Sebastian Knapp, and Sharon Harroun-Pierce (she and her husband, Bob, sit on the Britweek Committee) help cheer on the brightest of British talent flourishing underneath the California Sun...or Moon since this was at night.

This night is when the new Jaguar F-Type debuted.  It will be a series of appearances during Britweek.

The 40th in line to the British throne and husband to actress, Sophie Winkleman (Two and a Half Men), Lord Frederick Windsor sipped Broker’s Gin cocktails served in Wedgwood teacups and munched on fish and chips provided by Fairmont Miramar Hotel's Fig, alongside a galaxy of fellow British personalities: Maxwell Caulfield (Empire Records), Juliet Mills (Passions), Andrew Howard (Limitless), Martyn Lawrence Bullard (Million Dollar Decorators), Judi Shekoni (Twilight), Samantha Mumba (Grammy Award Winning Singer), Angie Miller (American Idol), Vinnie Jones (Snatch), Tony Curran (Gladiator), Amber Holcomb (American Idol), Candice Glover (American Idol), Ian Callum (Jaguar - Director of Design), Judge Alex, Kate Ashfield (Shaun of the Dead), Sir Ken Robinson (Author), Ken Todd (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills), Kree Harrison (American Idol), Lara Pulver (Da Vinci's Demons), Razza Jaffry (Smash), Lord Frederick Windsor (British Royal Family), Mark 'Rhino' Smith (Gladiators), Michael Greco (EastEnders), Patrick Muldoon (Days of our Lives), Rhea Bailey (The Mentalist), Sarah Essex (Luster), Sean Yazbeck (The Apprentice), Sebastian Knapp (The Bible), Nigel Lythgoe (American Idol & SYTYCD Producer and BritWeek Co-Founder), Julian Sands (Room with a View), Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter), Downtown Julie Brown (Actress), Skeet Ulrich (Law and Order), Tony Curran (Gladiator), Vijay Amritraj (Sports Commentator), Will Kemp (Step-Up 2), Xander Berkeley (24), Antonio Villaraigosa (Mayor of Los Angeles), Gary Love (London's Burning), Sophie Winkleman (Two and a Half Men), Louise Roe (Fashion Star), Bob Peirce (Britweek Founding Director), Sharon Harroun Peirce (Britweek Founding Director) and other Britweek committee and board members.

While the 1920’s-esque live band played on, lucky guests posed, played, and goofed around in the Boots photo booth with quinessential British props, a walking cane, umbrellas, and bowler hats.

Consider this a blast-off to numerous festivities where everyone can enjoy British culture under the California Sun and other parties bursting through for the next two weeks.

Something Special for Prom & the "Social Season," See Jonathan Bash

By Laura Medina

This is the season of coming out, Prom Season and the "Summer Social Season," the approaching Summer Festival/White Parties Season (especially in the Hamptons and the Southeast), and that cross-cultural exchange, Britweek.

In honor of these, Neiman Marcus' youngest designer, Jonathan Bash's 2013 Collection covers all the bases.

Ivanka Trump, “already a force to be reckoned with, his collection is youthful, timeless and elegant. His bold designs are going to take him places.”

Neiman Marcus and Jonathan Bash has a special promotion with MasterCard's Priceless Experiences where MasterCard cardholders are invited to have a one-on-one prom dress consultation for up to three hours with Jonathan Bash himself. Bash will discuss your goals, personal style, fitting requirements and more to ensure you look your best at this once-in-a-lifetime occasion,  https://www.priceless.com/losangeles/category/Shopping?preview=&realCategory=Shopping&cid=4746

With the new dress codes clamping down on "overtly mature" prom dresses, Jonathan is used to dealing and adjusting to various cultural and religious requirements when it comes to formal and eveningwear.  With his quick and open mind fitting any occasion to any situation, he still makes sure prom night is still that special night for any young lady.

What MasterCard's Priceless Experiences offers...with Jonathan at Neiman Marcus...is a true hands-on haute couture experience in a modern-day setting. You will also be indulging in delectable drinks and cupcakes, while perusing his stunning collection. After you’ve taken one of his beautiful dresses home, you’ll receive two days of virtual support leading up to your prom. Plus, you can rest easy with last-minute fashion advice guidance with a day-of phone call with the designer.  This lovely experience can make a girl feel like a lady.

In honor of a country that invented the "coming-out" party (which prom is) and the Social Season,  Jonathan has some tips for the modern-day British "It" Girl making her debut during Britweek in Los Angeles, regardless if it's in the hills of Hollywood or on the beaches of Santa Monica.

"Color," that's his advice for the young Brit starlet making her LA debut.  He suggests using color to give her confidence, to set her apart enough to make her memorable.  His go-to color is red.  Since this is sunny and warm LA, she has the freedom to be sexy within her comfort zone.

Since Britweek is also a cross-cultural exchange celebration, as well as a cross-cultural debut, Jonathan also has tips for the Hollywood ingenue making her first splash in the London scene.

He advises the young lady that she cannot get away with whole lot.  Best to use the Royal Family as a guide, especially since some of them might be at certain events.  The easiest tip, it all depends on the event.  The tailoring may be conservative but you can always depend on color.  Jewel tones for Spring.  Neon for Summer.  Jonathan's hottest shade is burnt red orange or you can do the Duchess of Cambridge color-blocking, pairing Royal Blue with Nude pumps.

Today's true socialite, whether she's an aristocrat-turned-starlet or a well-traveled and well-cultured debutante, Jonathan Bash knows a real lady is a global jet-setter who needs dresses and outfits for all occasions that pop up anywhere in the world.

In fact, now is the perfect time for that British starlet to use Jonathan's MasterCard's Priceless Experiences at Neiman Marcus, to help her get ready for her Hollywood debut,
  https://www.priceless.com/losangeles/category/Shopping?preview=&realCategory=Shopping&cid=4746

Britweek! When Brits show their Gratitude for American Opportunities

By Laura Medina

Tomorrow, the British Consulate wants to say "Thank You" to American hospitality and Californian opportunities by returning the gratitude by launching a two-weeks long celebration of the unique mixture called "BritWeek."

It's annual confluence where quintessential British culture rub elbows and flourish in sunny, welcoming California.

BritWeek is their way of saying, "Thank You," for California's industries and opportunities for giving their talents and culture a chance to flourish beyond their expectations.

The British Consulate, in Los Angeles, is inviting a galaxy of A-List Brits.., ok, film and tv stars...to come celebrate this Tuesday night, launching this cross-cultural confluence. 

Wherever there's a large Brit contingency, there's going to be a BritWeek.  Orange County is doing their on April 26h, followed by San Fransisco on May 3rd.  Believe it or not, Miami is jumping in too.

This scribe is returning the thank you to British hospitality by listing all the happenings in current, modern-day London...the fashionable West London...

Shoot, why not use this piece as your guide to fashion-forward, real London...

 

Regent Street, London W1 launches 24/7, a bespoke social media hub accessed through regentstreetonline.com. The hub creates a virtual window where everyone can engage in real-time conversations with the Regent Street shops, restaurants, cafés, bars and hotels. Conversations appear on 24/7 from multiple social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, SoundCloud and YouTube, all in one online location.
Over 100 Regent Street brands including Liberty London, Whole Foods Market, Coach, Reiss, Hollister, Gilly Hicks, sketch, Kirk Originals, Brasserie Zédel, Superdry, Ted Baker and Anthropologie are ready to engage with people that ‘sign in’ and integrate their social media accounts with the hub. The bespoke Regent Street conversations #RegentStreet, #HeddonStreet, #SwallowStreet and a selection of trending hashtags, give users the opportunity to engage with the Regent Street community, 24 hours a day.

David Shaw, Head of Regent Street Portfolio, The Crown Estate, says: “We are delighted to offer shoppers and visitors from all over the world a new way of engaging and enjoying their Regent Street experience”.

 

The Regent Street Windows Project unveils the designs for this year’s six unique installations.  The designs include a giant beach wave curling up through the interior of Esprit, a ‘Magic Garden’ flowing through all eight windows of the Karen Millen store and a recreation of New York’s Greene Street in Jack Spade’s London store window.
From 15 April to 6 May, Regent Street London W1 will be showcasing a number of inspiring architectural installations created by cutting edge architects in partnership with RIBA
(Royal Institute of British Architects). Now in its fourth year, the Regent Street Windows Project matches a diverse range of RIBA architects with international fashion brands to create innovative window displays. 

Brands participating in the Regent Street Windows Project 2013 include: Topshop working with NEON, Esprit working with naganJohnson architects, Jack Spade working with Carl Turner Architects, Ferrari Store working with Gensler, Karen Millen with Mamou-Mani and Moss Bros with AY Architects. 

This initiative is part of an ongoing series of events and promotional opportunities which places Regent Street as one of the leading shopping destinations in the world. As part of this long-term strategy, Regent Street has recently seen the revival of iconic landmarks in the area balancing original architecture with contemporary restoration. This restoration of vast architectural buildings has recently welcomed to the street the largest Burberry in the world, restaurants Brasserie Zédel and MASH and the re-opening of Café Royal after being restored to its former golden-age glory.

Annie Walker, Director of the Regent Street Association, said: ‘The RIBA Regent Street Project, now in its fourth year, is getting more and more recognition. Each time I look forward to seeing the designs and marvel at the result of the collaboration between the architects and the retailers; it definitely adds to the visitor experience.’ 

  

St James’s London is pleased to announce contemporary shoemakers The Left Shoe Company have chosen to open their first UK store in Princes Arcade. The Left Shoe Company combines traditional skill with state of the art technology creating a truly unique shoe buying experience. Neighbours in Princes Arcade include British men’s heritage label Smart Turnout London that opened in November, as well as shoemakers such as Loake and Barker.

Erkan Fere, CEO of The Left Shoe Company says: “For The Left Shoe Company, it was important for the first London store to be opened in St James’s, surrounded by excellent restaurants, hotels and services focusing on the made to measure and bespoke needs for the modern gentleman. The various premium lifestyle brands support one another. We at The Left Shoe Company feel very much home in St James’s.”

The Left Shoe Company measure customers with state of the art 3D foot scanning technology. The measuring platform analyses your precise foot size and this scan is then used to create handcrafted, made to order shoes. When selecting a style of shoe, there are four collections to choose from, contemporary, classic, modern classic and casual. From here you can select each aspect, including style, material and details creating your own bespoke footwear.

The process from measuring to walking takes six weeks and in the meantime your personal foot scan is stored and each detail added to a membership card, allowing you to then order shoes online to your specification from anywhere in the world.

British brand Smart Turnout are launching a ’pop up’ at John Lewis, Oxford Street, London from Tuesday 16 April – Tuesday 30 April 2013. John Lewis invited them to take part in their initiative to support UK brands as Smart Turnout epitomise the hallmarks of British style: tradition, distinction and craftsmanship. The collection combines the colours of some of Britain's historical institutions with pieces crafted to the highest standards from the finest materials.

The Smart Turnout pop-up takes prime position in the ground floor John Lewis menswear section and will be supported by dedicated staff with expert knowledge of the product range and the history behind it.

This collaboration comes just months after Smart Turnout opened its own dedicated store in the Princes Arcade, Piccadilly, London, SW1Y 6DS. Both the store and the John Lewis pop-up feature the refreshingly colourful Smart Turnout spring/summer 2013 collection. Every piece in the collection has a story to tell. The colours, numbers and crests are all significant. No colour combination, stripe thickness or spacing is accidental or meaningless. This is because Smart Turnout's origins lie in the regimental and sporting traditions of the British Army.

In British horse racing each rider wears a unique set of racing colours. These rules were no different for Scots Guards officer Philip Turner, who when racing at Sandown had to find a jumper in the colours of his regiment. Seeking only the finest materials and craftsmen to create his jumper, he made something that caught the eye of his fellow Guardsmen, who all requested one of their own. Recognising the high quality of these, their requests soon turned into further orders, not just for jumpers, but ties, watches, socks and other regimental items.
Fast forward to the present day and Smart Turnout is a global British fashion brand with sales of £1 million. It is stocked in premium menswear outlets around the world, including Bloomingdales & J Press in the USA; Old England in Italy; Galleries Lafayette in Dubai; Beams, Ships, United Arrows & Bay Crews in Japan; and Bean Pole & Aland in Korea.  UK stockists include Harrods, Stuarts of London, YMC, Williams & Griffin (as of July 2013) and Stumper & Fielding.

For the pop up, Smart Turnout has handpicked pieces they know John Lewis customers will covet.   Key on trend pieces for the SS13 season include the striking Half & Half ties, contrast-pocket t-shirts and a huge range of colourful bow ties. See for yourself in John Lewis Oxford Street, Tuesday 16 April – 30 April 2013.

John Lewis invited them to take part in their initiative to support UK brands as Smart Turnout 
epitomise the hallmarks of British style: tradition, distinction and 
craftsmanship. The collection combines the colours of some of Britain's 
historical institutions with pieces crafted to the highest standards from the 
finest materials. 

Celebrity followers of Smart Turnout include One Direction front man Harry 
Styles who was seen sporting the Boundary Bow Tie at a recent event.

On Sunday 12 May, Regent Street, London W1 will join with countries from across the globe to celebrate ‘InsureandGo The World on Regent Street’.  Regent Street will be traffic-free and transformed to showcase the best of each country’s culture, music and dance, art, food and fashion as well as its impressive selection of international brands.

 ‘InsureandGo The World on Regent Street’ will welcome destinations including: Argentina, Egypt, Great Britain, Trinidad and Tobago and Turkey with further cultural representation from Chinatown who will offer fantastic food, drink and activities and entertainment set against the backdrop of Regent Street’s famed British architecture.
Throughout the month, there will be a schedule of events including in store activities, special menus and competitions. 

Free for all to attend, activities from the participating destinations will include wine sampling, cooking demonstrations and tango lessons from Argentina; folkloric performances, cuisine, fashion display and professional henna drawings from Egypt; Wallace and Gromit adventures featuring a hot air balloon brought by Great Britain; a professional steel pan band and dancing carnival from Trinidad and Tobago; coffee shop experience and food sampling with a live music band and dance floor from Turkey and Chinese drumming performance with lion dancing and martial arts demonstrations brought by Chinatown.
Regent Street continues to build on its reputation as one of the ultimate shopping and lifestyle destinations in the world, with many global fashion brands choosing to call this famous shopping thoroughfare their home. Recently, Swedish brand ‘& Other Stories’ opened at 256-258 Regent Street , introducing  a new range of stylish products to join other international flagships such as Burberry, Liberty, Apple, Anthropologie, Hollister, Superdry, Coach, Sebago and Calvin Klein.

This past Saturday, independent vinyl record stores of Berwick Street Soho, London W1, joined forces to celebrate Record Store Day.

If you think shopping, browsing, sipping, drinking, and snacking...alright...let's face it,  partying and socializing like a Londoner is the best way to experience being a Londoner then there is no better place than London's SoHo District.
 
Record Store Day has brought music lovers to Berwick Street for exclusive vinyl and CD releases and to enjoy live music, bands and DJs performing throughout the area.  Showcasing a range of British music talent from 12pm till 7pm, special performances from a purpose built stage included Wire, Smoke Fairies, Frank Turner and Matthew E White as well as an eclectic mix of DJs across all genres from reggae to electronica.

Berwick Street has been a destination for vinyl record collectors since the 1980s when it became known as ‘The Golden Mile of Vinyl’.  This corner of Soho is still home to central London’s largest concentration of thriving independent record shops; Reckless Records, Sister Ray and The Music and Video Exchange as well as Sounds of the Universe around the corner on Broadwick Street, Black Market Soho on D’Arblay Street and Phonica on Poland Street. 

The shops, pubs and restaurants also joined in the celebrations with DJ’s playing in store, music quizzes and in-store parties. The iconic Berwick Street market was open as usual with flowers, fruit and vegetable traders as well as street food including Napoli style pizzas served by the Pizza Pilgrims from the back of a converted Piaggio van. The market also featured a music history experience from The Museum of Soho and a vinyl fair. 

The official film of Record Store Day, ‘Last Shop Standing’, is a documentary which charts the rise, fall and rebirth of the independent record shop.  This was screened throughout the day in a pop-up cinema space.  Graham Jones, the author of the book that inspired the film made a special guest appearance with a Q&A session and to sign copies of the book and DVD.
Berwick Street has a strong music heritage and many associations with the industry.  It was the location for the cover shoot of the 1995 Oasis album ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory’ (as seen in the window of Reckless Records).  Ian Brown cycled backwards down Berwick Street in the music video for F.E.A.R. and T-Rex front man Marc Bolan worked on his mum’s stall on Berwick Street market in the 1960s.* 

Berwick Street is a vibrant urban community with a rich heritage in the heart of London’s Soho.  Discover traditional London pubs, bespoke tailoring, textiles, vintage, food, fashion and of course independent record stores.  Berwick Street is London for Londoners.

If you caught the "London Buzz" from all these BritWeek parties and fairs, or you're an Anglophile, then this is an oopportune time to jump in real, modern-day London.

"The Bible's" Jesus Rubbed Elbows with Kiehl's Chris Salgardo & Clean Makeup & Skincare at Ron Robinson...Typical Earth Day in LA

By Laura Medina

With Britweek in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, and Miami coinciding with the actual Earth Day celebrations else where next week, Los Angeles got the jump start on Earth Day celebrations this week.

Kiehl's on Montana, in Santa Monica,  got the Earth Day parties started when they throw a benefit, presenting a $50,000 check to Recycle Across America.  Alanis Morissette and Zachary Quinto, who helped designed limited edition labels for Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream with 100% of net proceeds benefiting Recycle Across America, helped presented the check with Chris Salgardo, President, Kiehl’s USA and Mitch Hedlund, Founder & Executive Director, Recycle Across America.

According to Mr. Salgardo, it makes sense for Kiehl's to participate in Recycle Across America where customers can drop their empty, used-up Kiehl jars and bottles into the company's recycling bin.  

Kiehl's upped the ante by fine-tuning it into "Recycle and Be Rewarded," http://www.kiehls.com/Recycle-America/recycle-america,default,pg.html, where you bring in an empty, used-up Kiehl's item, you'll receive a stamp in return for each empty, used-up Kiehl's tube, bottle, and/or jar.  3 stamps rewards you with a free, classic Kiehl's #1 Lip Balm.  5 stamps gift you a Travel Collection Product (if you're a jet-setting Kiehl's Lover, joining this program is a easy way to restock your kit).  10 stamps will give you a full-sized product.  When you return 10 items, you can get the Lip Balm, a Travel Collection Product, and the Full-Sized Product.  Economically nice and "green" for both you and Kiehl's.

Joining in the feel-good fete with Chris Salgardo, Alanis Morissette and Zachary Quinto, were: Diogo Morgado (The History Channel’s The Bible, yes, he played Jesus), Gilles Marini  (ABC Family’s Switched At Birth),  Anna Sophia Robb (the teenaged Carrie Bradshaw of "The Carrie Diaries),
Amy Smart with hubby, Carter Oosterhouse from HGTV,  and Wilmer Valderrama.  More hot, young stars arrived: Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker), Robert Buckley (CW’s One Tree Hill), Matthew Lanter (FOX’s 90210), Alison Sudol (A Fine Frenzy), Jason Kennedy (E! News), Stephanie Pratt, Teddy Sears (Showtime’s The Masters), and Marguerite Moreau (Caroline & Jackie).

 

Recovering from the previous night's Kiehl's star-studded bash, this scribe found refuge, the next day, at Ron Robinson's calming Earth Day's pampering and primping.

Guests started the afternoon recovery having their face soaked in Osea Skincare's seaweed and algae oil-free, soothing facials...aaahhh...or they played and dabbed in Earth Tu Face's food-grade face and body care, fresh from Northern California.

They finished their organic pampering with the revamped and renewed W3LL  People's wholesome cosmetics.

This scribe knows all too well it is a lousy habit to be sleeping in one's makeup because you're too tired to wipe it off and too lazy to replicate that lovely but complicate makeover.  What to do?  Have your makeover done with W3LL People's non-silicone, Bismuth Oxychloride-free, talc-free, and fragrance-free aloe-based makeup then you can sleep in for one day and one night-only!

Truth be told, Ron Robinson's Earth Day beauty products are pretty darn safe.

W3LL People's new aloe-based formula (boosted by white tea, chamomile, and arrowroot) compliments Earth Tu Face's aloe-based skincare.

Cosmetic Dermatologist, Reneé Snyder, M.D.'s tip (she is one of the W3LL People's trio of her, James Walker, and Shirley Pinkson) gave a bit of trivia for James to share.  The reason arrowroot is named "arrowroot" is because when Native Americans are shoot with arrow wounds, they ground up the roots of the arrowroot tuber then mix it with oils or liquids to apply to the arrow wounds as a healing salve, hence the name, "arrow root."

Well, they return arrowroot to its ground-up powder form to mix it up in its powdered primer, Realist Mineral Setting, along side aloe, white tea, and chamomile, it provides healing and calming benefits to stressed, sensitive skin.

Their Altruist colored mineral, foundation powder can be moisten into a regular, full-coverage liquid foundation if you puff it on in a sweaty, hot humid climate or spritz it with a toner or serum.  Think of the convenience, you don't have to haul heavy bottles of liquid foundation that will choke your pores.  You can put your sweat glands to good use when it moistens the Altruist Powdered Foundation into a breathe able, full-coverage foundation.  Practically, two products in one for one price.

James Walker warned that their all-natural colorstick multiples and foundations does harden in cold, dry climate or Winter.  To loosen them up, he blends them with Earth Tu Face's aloe-based Skin Stick for a malleable, smoother application.

Earth Tu Face and Arcona are one of the very few skincare lines that can primp your face before you sleep in your W3LL People makeup (remind you, W3LL People is the only makeup safe enough to sleep in).  Earth Tu Face is a great line to primp your skin for your aloe-based makeup.

The aloe-based Earth Tu Face's food grade skincare is proud to say, "Never put on your skin what you wouldn't put in your mouth."

Started by one of the herbalist duo who's deadly allergic to mainstream cosmetics and skincare and aghast at the waste and the landfills, she went out of her way to study botany and herbology to ease and heal her rashes and reactions.

From the eat-able ingredients to the composite packaging, Earth Tu Face is conscientious in every step of its products.  

Like anything environmental, they try to keep their items within a reasonable price point and recyclable to save the earth and save the wallet.

All these Earth Day beauties attempt to soften the blow on the environment, your skin, and your wallet.

Nice to be "green." 

 

Coachella on the Left. MTV Movie Awards on the right. What a Weekend!

By Laura Medina

Boy...this scribe is bushed!  At least, Hollywood was hopping and alive this past weekend.

Young Hollywood felt equally the same, torn between the first weekend half of Coachella and MTV Movie Awards down at Sony Studios in Culver City.

The same smart ones were the durable ones.  They hit Coachella's concerts, the parties, and the gifting suites then drove half the next day back to LA to look fresh in their Coachella gear, just in time for Sunday afternoon's MTV Movie Awards.  It takes a youngin' to efficiently and effectively split themselves in two to be a true Hollywood social butterfly.

Since the biggest music concert and party was out in the desert at Coachella, this wise and weary scribe wondered why can't MTV do its Movie Awards at the music festival.  Oh well, onto what you really want...the MTV Movie Awards Gifting Suite.

Hollywood's more mature and established stars, such as Ray Liotta, Sugar Ray Leonard, Dorothy Hamill, Jason Ritter, Patti Stanger, Mike The Situation, George Lopez,
Danny Trejo, Christina Milan, Chuy, Andy Dick and Sean Love, they stay put in the comfort of the MTV Movie Awards Gifting Suite, supporting their heart-felt charities.

 

The Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation - The mission is to raise funds for research and awareness towards a cure for Juvenile diabetes. Lopez Foundation - The charity’s mission is to create positive, permanent change for underprivileged children, adults and military families confronting challenges in education and health, as well as increasing community awareness about kidney disease and organ donation. My Life My Power – a 501©3 Charity which works with kids, parents and schools around the nation with issues like bullying, drugs and alcohol, and dropouts. Steps4Paws – Steps4Paws is bringing the fashion world forward to support dog rescue organizations, saving lives one dog at a time. Lambda Legal - For 40 years, Lambda Legal has led the fight for equal and fair treatment of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. 

GUARDaHEART Foundation, a non-profit foundation dedicated to raising awareness of heart disease prevention by spreading the word to guard your heart and save your life, was on site offering complimentary cardiac risk blood tests and to promote their savethe1.org campaign. In honor of his father John Ritter, celebrity guest Jason Ritter made a special appearance on the 10 year anniversary since his passing due to heart disease to co-present a check with Aviir for $100,000 to the Foundation. 

While raising awareness and funds to their own personal charities, the celebrity guests snacked on KuKuRuZa Gourmet Popcorn's specialty popcorn bar and music from DJ BABYCHINO, the world’s youngest DJ, flowed throughout the rooms of the lounge setting the tone for the event. Guests sipped wine from sponsors Viva Diva Wines, one of the fastest growing Moscato brands in the U.S., who was refreshing guests with their Pinot Grigio or flavored Moscato; Sky’s Gourmet Tacos; Sabra Dipping Company and Cookie Connection kept them fueled.

While the more mature stars were taking it easy on a Sunday afternoon, Hollywood's blazing hot young ones were hitting the Coachella Music Festival and the accompanying pool parties, the Electrical Daisy Carnival and stocking up on festival wear and chill sodas and relaxing cocktails poolside.

Oh,..let's face it...Coachella is Hollywood's idea of Woodstock and Spring Break combined.

With the powerful concert promoter, Golden Voice, doing it's own music festival, it's a small wonder that equally mega-wattaged ingenues (both girls and boys) and equally powerful fashion brands have jumped on the bohemian bandwagon where A-Listers really go "slumming."  The smart and lucky ones booked their hotel rooms in nearby Palm Springs early.

Coachella not only marks the start of the Summer Music Festival Season, it also sets the fashion/dress code for most of them...how to look hot and chic while trekking in the mud or dust.

Shoedazzle noted tanned leather, comfy and steady wedges and sandals, go from pool to field at any moment at any time.

 

Believe it or not, this is the second time that this scribe knows of Lacoste Shoes throwing a shoe gifting pool party at Coachella.  Modern day prepsters, such as Brad Goreski, Elijah Woods, and Portugal, the Man, really got a kick trying on their Lacoste sneakers, as much as "The Man Repeller," Leandra Medine.

Celebrities set the "anything goes" fashion flow at Coachella.  Alexander Wang hang poolside. January Jones was all suited up.  Sophia Bush was all prim and proper in an H&M dress.  Julianna Hough provided you can go from daytime daisy dukes and a tank to rocking a tee in a black tux-like blazer and trousers for night. 
Agyness Deyn made her DJ debut here. Katherine McPhee was billowy in a skirt.  Vanessa Hudgins was Woodstock-sque in delicate but sexy white camisole and matching shorts, complete with gold wire ring.  Riley Kough was dressed in the new festival shoe...the canvas sneaker, not afraid to get dirty and wash later.

Boy!  This scribe better get ready and prep with Red Bull before chillin' in the desert with Chill Cocktails and getting outfitted at the Forever 21, Swatch, Chilli Beans, and Lacoste suites...and these are before folks hits the Coachella concert itself!

This recent week was a social season unto itself!